Wednesday, June 18, 2008

'The Man' Tales - The Hospital Stay

Remember all those trips I made back and forth to Edmonton when Cid had his kidney removed? That was because I couldn’t afford to get a hotel room and Cid would not let me into his condo because he was ashamed of it. My friend, the lawyer, was ashamed of his condo.

This time around I told him in no uncertain terms that I wasn’t going to drive back and forth to Edmonton for however long it was going to take for him to get better. With his head full of stitches and just out of surgery he couldn’t argue with me as I dug around in the pockets of his clothing until I found his keys. He gave a little groan when I held them in front of him and asked him which ones were for his condo and for directions to get there – but in the end he knew I had him. There was not going to be any arguing with me over this one.

His uncle and I set up a routine that suited both of us perfectly. He would come in early in the morning and sit with Cid and I would come in later in the day and stay until the staff eventually kicked me out. Cid’s uncle had opted for a hotel room and was happy with that arrangement. He didn’t want to share Cid’s condo with me once I had managed to make Cid see the light of day on that subject.

So that is what we did. I would arrive in the early afternoon and sit with Cid as he slowly recovered. Most nights I left in the early morning hours – around 1am. The nurses didn’t mind my staying after visiting hours as I did everything for Cid and eased their load as much as I could. It was obvious that I just wanted to be with him and him with me.

I spent the mornings cleaning Cid’s condo and trying to make it as comfortable as I could for Cid when he was finally let out of the hospital. Every single day, before I headed over to the hospital, I called my mother. We talked about Cid’s condition and I held the phone to my ear and let the tears run down my face while Mom prayed for Cid. She always prayed for me as well and for my mental health to remain strong. In the early morning hours I called D and told him about my day with Cid and how he was healing. Both of these people helped me keep my sanity when I was so afraid for Cid.

When the days turned into weeks, Cid told me to use his car instead of my own. He didn’t want me spending money on gas and he had a pass for the hospital parking that was affixed to his windshield. He had been there so many times over the last couple of years that he had decided it was cheaper to buy a parking pass than pay the lot prices every single time. Cid was big on ‘cheaper’.

As with any surgery, walking is a big priority. When Cid could finally manage walking up and down the unit’s hallway, they sent him to a different unit. Three weeks had passed by this time and you could still see the red swollen scar if you lifted Cid’s hair, but the staples had been removed and he insisted there wasn’t any feeling around the scar. Cid was nothing but amazing to me. His determination to get better and get back to work made me ashamed of my inability to get past my own mental problems. Cid wouldn’t let me talk about myself like that and kept reaffirming that I too would get better some day. And if I didn’t? He didn’t care – he loved me anyway.

On the day Cid was to be discharged, I cleaned the condo and turned down his bed. I had never slept in it during my stay there but had opted to sleep on the couch instead. The idea of sleeping in his bed didn’t feel right without Cid to share it with. Looking around the condo I was pleased with the work I had done and I knew that Cid was going to be surprised when he walked in the door. His one-bedroom condo was in an older building and Cid had not made any attempts at fixing or improving. It just wasn’t his thing. He preferred to fill his balcony with plants and flowers and he was well known in the area for his ‘blooming balcony’.

I could hardly contain my excitement when I arrived at the hospital loaded down with warm clothing for Cid’s journey home. I was like a kid going to a party and I strolled into his room with the biggest smile on my face and a heart full of anticipation. What I found confused and deflated my party balloon instantly. Cid was lying on his bed with an oxygen mask on his face and he was looking as white as the sheets he was laying on. Rushing to his side I checked to make sure he was alive and then asked him what was happening when he opened his eyes and looked at me. Taking off the mask for a moment he said,

“I was just coming out of the bathroom when all of a sudden I thought I was going to faint and I just can’t seem to catch my breath.”

27 comments:

Mima said...

NOOOOOO just as I thought that life was getting better, and you have just left us hanging as well - that is really mean. I so hope that Cid has just had a momentary blip, and that this is not the start of something else.

Daryl said...

aaaaaaaaaaaaargh....


:-Daryl

travelling, but not in love said...

oh my.

aims, you build us up, you knock us down....

dND said...

I'm with the previous posters. Just as it looked as though things were looking up...

But I also find myself thinking 'what about D'? This must have been quite a time for him too for completely different reasons.

Lola said...

I can't believe your story continues like this. I know there is light somewhere, but please let it be soon!

John-Michael said...

OK ... I am a big tough man who has weathered a lot of life's "stuff." But I am now throwing a tantrum and my Soul is screaming "It's not fair!" "It's not fair!" "It's not fair!" "It's not fair!" "It's not fair!" There! I don't really feel any better ... but I got it out.

Lovingly ...

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

Oh Lord, aims, have been catching up with you again, and can hardly believe this latest twist. You couldn't make it up.. I do hope things will mprove again? M xx

A Mother's Place is in the Wrong said...

ps. Have just finished watching Waylon and Willie singing, lovely. M xx

Rachel Green said...

Oh no! Poor Cid. Poor you!

Anonymous said...

Oh, Aims, how awful. Please don't make us wait long for the next post. Margie

david mcmahon said...

We all need to take off our masks sometimes, I guess, literally and metaphorically.

Your posts are always riveting.

Thank you for your kind query about my novel. A lot of bloggers say they have bought it from www.easternbookcorporation.com and that it's inexpensive and promptly delivered - but I know it's also available through the website of Penguin India.

Let me know if you have any dramas ....

Once again, thank you

David

bichonpawz said...

OH NOOOOOOOO!!! I was SOOOOO looking forward to good news and happiness for a little while at least. You better post tomorrow...the suspense is killing me...

Anonymous said...

What a merry go round for you, Cid and the family. I am so very sorry that he (and you) had to endure this pain. I hope and pray that the next chapter will be the one we hope will make it a happy ever after road.
XOXO

Lane Mathias said...

This is just a setback

This is just a setback.

Repeat.

Isn't it??

Jules said...

Oh Aims, I'm so sorry for you and for Cid. Poor Cid. How are things now? Hanging in there?
Sending (((hugs))) to both you and Cid.

Anonymous said...

No no no no no Aims! Please tell me it gets better!

Daryl said...

I am laughing at your comment on my Venice tale .. I would hug you if you were here ...

:-Daryl

Unknown said...

Oh come on Cid, you can do it. Btw, was his house a mess?

Georgina said...

Oh nooo Aims, please not his lungs!!! DEBS (((X)))

Irene said...

I had to move my blog. I hope you'll come and see me. Love, Nora.

http://brightandsunny.wordpress.com/

laurie said...

A TEMPORARY SETBACK.
dammit.
A TEMPORARY SETBACK.

Mean Mom said...

I've caught up with your previous posts, today, as I've been missing for a few days. There are so many ups and downs in your story. Just as things seem to be looking up, something else happens to drag you down again. It must have very difficult for you to cope with everything.

aims said...

My dear friends -

Your anguish over Cid shows how involved you have gotten with my story and the kindness that prevails in all of your hearts.

Thank you.

Irene said...

It was probably just a case of anxiety. Yes, that's what it was, I am sure of it. Right, Aims?

Anonymous said...

I am all caught up. Great writing Aims.

Biddie said...

As always, you have me mesmerized.
When is the next installment?

Maggie May said...

This seems to be echoing my life just now. Full of ups and downs! SOOOOOOO frustrating!